Users quickly benefit from UltraQuest's complete non-procedural language for fast prototyping, its full range of easy-to-use reporting and analysis capabilities, and its fully integrated programming language with functionality comparable to PL/I and COBOL.

Using a common language and syntax within a single environment, and coupled with the DB2 database engine, UltraQuest addresses the need for improved productivity and ease-of-use, as well as the concern for overall system performance.

Highly Integrated with DB2

UltraQuest translates its commands into SQL statements, sending as much work as possible to DB2. Sorting and aggregation triggered by UltraQuest's LIST command for reporting are done by DB2, with only the columns needed to fulfill the data request shipped back to UltraQuest. Selective data listing can be performed efficiently through SELECT and LIST WHERE commands.

Global data maintenance is handled by passing set-level requests for CHANGE and DELETE as a single transaction.

Access rights are granted directly through DB2. Additional security can be provided with UltraQuest passwords, database profiles, retrieval and update procedures. Concurrent access by multiple users and data sharing are handled by DB2.

DB2 tables can be created by UltraQuest's data definition language using a single command, SCHEMA NEW. Conversely, SCHEMGEN provides an automated facility for describing pre-existing DB2 tables and views to UltraQuest.

SCHEMGEN can also be used to describe system catalog information to UltraQuest. The database administrator can then easily report from catalog information, which helps provide better control over data resources.

Relational Enhancements

UltraQuest interfaces efficiently with DB2 for VM because UltraQuest itself is designed on a relational model. In addition, UltraQuest provides important relational features not found in DB2:

Complete Outer Join Support UltraQuest's MERGE MATCHING for outer joins and EXTRACT ALL MATCHING for left-hand outer joins provide this support. There is no limit on the number of tables that can be joined using UltraQuest. For even greater flexibility, any two tables can be joined on any two columns - predefined indexes are not necessary.

Enhanced Referential Integrity UltraQuest provides complete support for referential integrity. UltraQuest offers additional features in this area that are not provided in DB2, including: A warning option, which requests user approval before a cascading action takes place, and UPDATE options of CASCADE and NAVIT allowed in addition to DENY.

Null Support UltraQuest supports null values by handling missing values in a column differently from values of zeros or blanks. Nulls are dis- allowed for any item by specifying NOTNAV in the Schema. Additionally, UltraQuest always disallows nulls for primary keys.

With the UltraQuest Interface for DB2 a database can include not only data stored in DB2 but data stored in NOMAD's native relational database and external files such as ISAM, VSAM and QSAM. (With additional UltraQuest interfaces, it can also include data from other DBMSs such as IDMS and Teradata).

The TYPE parameter on the MASTER statement indicates how data is stored. DB2 tables can be maintained using all of UltraQuest's navigation and maintenance commands. Data stored in multiple files can be drawn together using UltraQuest's relational facilities such as DEFINE EXTRACT and MERGE MATCHING.

UltraQuest reporting, file creation and maintenance facilities work exactly as if the data were stored in UltraQuest. UltraQuest retains its concept of position, despite the fact that DB2 does not support such a concept. Thus, you have the ability to move backward and forward through the data.

Moving the Data

Moving data from a NOMAD database to an DB2 table is accomplished simply by adding the TYPE SQL parameter and issuing the SCHEMA REORG command. There is no need to worry about dumping and reloading data. The UltraQuest Interface for DB2 does the work of creating a new table for you.

Using the Data

To use UltraQuest with existing DB2 tables, you use SCHEMGEN, a menu-assisted Schema generator, which produces a basic UltraQuest Schema from selected tables. This Schema can be edited to take advantage of UltraQuest's extensive data-definition language to add headings, masks, limits, member checks, defined items and passwords. UltraQuest also provides unique data types that include TEXT, fixed and varying arrays and time series, as well as NAME, FORMAT and PICTURE display formats. After the Schema is compiled, all of UltraQuest's command language is available for application development, reporting and analysis.

Additional Unique Features

UltraQuest also provides commands that enable the user to dynamically:

Change the isolation level

Disconnect from an DB2 database, thus freeing up DB2 resources.

Learn More

To find out more about how Select Business Solutions can help you either Contact Us, or visit our Product Resources area for all the latest related downloads.

Product Resources

Want to learn more about this product? Every download relating to a particular product can now be accessed in one location. Click here to continue